Until Roberto Martínez took over for Belgium, Lukaku averaged 0.33 goals per game (17 in 51 games). Since that September 2016, he has scored 46 in as many games. At this point, It is the main threat that stalks Italy, showing an almost reverential respect for the striker. As it is not just any Italy, very different from others, it is feared more than ever that Lukaku and his entourage will destroy their streak of 31 games without losing and with only one goal conceded in the last 12. And the suffering against Austria puts on notice to Nazionale. Cannavaro, with his proverbial pragmatism, gave voice to the feeling that demands to combine beauty and result (follow today's game live on AS.com).
Even so, a change of register is not expected in a brave Italy, although perhaps it will act a little more tactfully to prevent the Belgian danger. In Munich, a stadium that he did not step on in the 2006 World Cup dream, the presumed return of Il Capitano Chiellini reassures the structure. To play, there will already be 300 games with Bonucci. In terms of meritocracy, Locatelli, Pessina and Chiesa also deserve ownership, but only the latter seems to have options.
Nor is any revolution expected from Roberto Martínez, with his 101-year-old defense (Alderweireld, Vermaelen and Vertonghen) and pending from Hazard and De Bruyne. None trained yesterday. With only one missing, even the current poor version of Hazard, Belgium is a worse selection. He averages three shots and five fewer passes in the final third of the field. The elections of Mertens and Carrasco as substitutes would follow the traditional line of Martínez, which Sometimes a singular card is saved as in the quarters of the 2018 World Cup against Brazil (1-2). In that feat he bet on 1-4-3-3 and oriented Lukaku to the right to attack Marcelo. Belgium has a coach, a striker and the horizon of finally winning in a great tournament. Against Italy it is the minimum that it needs.
The keys
The wall
Courtois remains intractable in goal as he demonstrated against Portugal. According to advanced statistics, he should have conceded almost three goals and has only conceded one.
The bullet
La Nazionale projects from the outside with deep and extreme sides. Meunier will take on a difficult ballot with Spinazzola, the fastest player in the tournament (33.8 km / h).
Transitions
Two teams with remarkable potential to build direct attacks: 12 from Italy and eight from Belgium (Denmark, 11). Any loss will be dangerous.
Space
Attacking in speed the gaps between the center and the lane will be a suitable route for Mancini's. Berardi, who can go to the bench for Chiesa, has created seven chances.
Players to watch
Witsel
Captain general in the middle. Play with sense, pack and correct your partner. He has 20 recoveries in three games.
Jorginho
Mancini's metronome is going through a very sweet period. Everything happens for him: 310 passes and active participation in 25 shooting actions.
Personality, resilience and Henry are the secrets of ‘Big Rom’
Lukaku's scoring journey confirms his ambition to become the “best player in the history of Belgium”. Not only the arrival of Roberto Martínez, with whom he already fit squarely at Everton (61 goals in 126 games), contributed to his unstoppable growth. The figure of Henry, assistant to the Spanish coach, shapes the ‘Big Rom’ instinct. The advice of the French legend has helped him to improve his game off the ball and refine his decisions. Both Lukaku and Belgium itself have grown older and have more experience. However, eight starters today (14 in the squad) were in the defeat of Euro 2016 against Italy (0-2) in which only six footballers of that generation resist. In Lukaku, the mental aspect also stands out as one of its great strengths. “Personality and resilience,” he wrote after winning against Portugal. Lukaku's word.